Paddle or oar suspension device



April 18, 1950 F. E. SPIEHLER PADDLE OR OAR SUSPENSION DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1948 MT k w 5 E 2 WWW W5 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F i fit '3 N If Q 1; FEES/1122:7126?" Q'M WW5 April 18, 1950 Filed April 20, 1948 patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PADDLE QR OAR- SUSPENSION Francis E. Spieliler, Newrflrlealisfl liai ApplicationApril 20, 1948, Serial No.,2 2;0 39' 3 Claims. i

My invention relates to a support for paddles as used for propelling canoes or boats adapted to be used for. suspending a paddle on one or both sides oi a smaller row boat used by one man or person; fDr, fishing, either .in streams or in open water where not rough, so that the paddle may he tilted outwardly at. any desired angle and-operated by one hand to move the boat or to keep it from moving or floating with the wind, current or tide too far at one time while the other hand is occupied iniiy or plug casting or trolling.

Anobject of thelnvention is to provide a. demountable support or bracket somewhat similar to an oar lock for oars,'but which is especially designed to support and. guide or clamp a canoe paddle or an oar against accidentally falling out andinto the water, or. slidably support the same, so that the paddle may. be swung on horizontal axes out and down at a slight angle or substantially to an upright or vertical position at one or. both sides of a small or row boat or the like, or turned on a vertical axis, said horizontal aXes adaptingthe paddle held in the support or brackat to be tiltedon either or both-of these horizontal'pivots in planes one above the other, and the paddle held at the upper pivot being also adapted to pivot or swing horizontally on the vertical axis as in paddling or operating the paddle or an oar.

Another object is to provide a supporting bracket for a paddle in the nature of an ear lock, 9;

except thatit is supported against displacement or sliding out-but adapted to pivot up and down in either or both of two horizontal axes or planes located one above the other and to turn on .a vertical axis, instead of merely turning on a vertical 3 5' axis, as in connection with most oar locks usually of U -'shaped or forked design, in which the cars merely rest and from which they are displaceable, sometime accidentally and fall overboard to be fished in or lost.

Still anotherobject is to mount the paddle between the blade; and handle thereof, either clampedto swing on the vertical axis and two upper-and lower horizontal axes or in which the paddle may be held against or limited in its sliding movement and supportedto project into the boat at the handleend of the paddle and floated or dipped down into the waters at its blade end so as to permit operation of the paddle by one hand while theother hand-is .free for fishing, casting or trolling, so that the boat may float about or be kept, lnoved,propelled, maintained or returned to a certain location. orplace where fishing is best.

A still further obiect is the providing of a paddie supporting bracket including a clamp adapted mountedolrthe-gunwale or rimof a; boat in a desired positionpreferably adjacent the ends of; cross s'eat and permit-the paddle tobeoperatedibaclr and-forthasinpad dling with the blade extending downalmost straight or at anoif angle inclinedgently outwardly sothat a fisherman canioperat'eeither paddle with one hand to n ovethe boat orkeenit from moving;or-di'ifting toofar at'one tirnew'liile theother li'andfis-fneeioi occupiewiirhandnshing or casting; d. with ex ri 55- ermanof fresh-waterflsh can readilyunderstand and appreciatetliewaliie ofjthis-devi which has been tried and wqrks'yerygsati'sfactory;

Anotherobjectist; to provide apaddlbracket such asisset forth wliich is relativelytsimpiein' structure; strong anddurabieand economical. to manufactureand permit operation of the paddle held thereby, and in wliicii nieans is;pro vided on P d e f on he a si i nd w' the paddle in-tlie support bracketso'that the pad dle cannot falloverboardfandis clamped' and held therein or limitedimits? lengthwiseldisplacen ent in the supportorbracketliy'meanson the paddle,

to bedetachably heldor spaced from the-handle'or liandgrip thereof to abut a split ringer-clampconstitutingmeansito receive andhold thepaddfcj vaild the" bfaaktithflm ing means=for clamping thfesame-at any'desired place along the length of the gunwa'le" or-rim at either or 'both' sides of tlie'boat" or hull' thereofi With the above=andiotlier-objects in'view; my

- invention co nsists- -in' the -arrangement," combination and details of constructiondisclosedih the drawings andspecification; and E thenmore particularly-- pointed out 1in*-tlie-ap ended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a' 'side'- elevation"ofthe paddle sup.- port or bracket in accordanceqwithmy invention. applied tothe sideof'a boatwhidh together with. the gunwaie' thereof isisliown' in section and showing insolimalltffdbt dilines two positions of" the paddle initssupnprt.

Figure 2is anin'side elevatiomor end. view/of the device a shown in .Eig'nreil;

Fi ure-31s a centralyerticallsectiontaken m, the'line 3"-3 otIigure ziofthetderice in tlieposttion .showmin Elurellandiinstilll another pgsitiqfldnflfitflfihfi Figure 4 is a vertical section at right angles-to Eigures. 1 and.3 with the hull-inldottedvliues Figure 5' is'a topmlansview ot .Ithadeyiceswithpa o dii nd hhwi eia n h p m the deviceas.

ur suitca emm noe -se tional'view taken on the liiie 6-8 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, the paddle support or brakcet comprises a clamp In of channel or U-shaped cross section having a horizontal connecting portion or wall H with upstanding sides or flanges 2, and is of U-shape longitudinally or at right angles to the cross section with outwardly convexly curved depending outer and inner ends or jaws I3 and I4, the latter being double convex. Outer end or jaw 3 is concave-convex vertically. and concave on the inside horizontally and also somewhat channeled or hollowed out transversely at the outside by reason of the sides or flanges |2 extending and tapering downwardly as shown at to end or jaw -|3 which is longer than and depends below the inner end or jaw l4 along each side of which sides or flanges [2 also extend downwardly and rearwardly as shown at |6 with an arcuate connecting or bight portion I1 therebetween concaved at the top and convex at the bottom. Portions l4 and I! are formed with a central longitudinal internally threaded sleeve 8 partly as a raised boss on wall to take a horizontal threaded stem or screw shank I9 therethrough. outwardly of wall |4, stem I9 is provided with an enlarged flat swiveled jaw or head and at the inner end is provided with a cross bar or handle 2| set in a'diametrical hole by which the screw may be turned.

- The clamp |t| is adapted to be applied to the rim or gunwale A of the sides of a-small or row boat hul B having a transverse .ribs with upright or vertical end portions at the inside of the hull. The sides of the; hull bear .a plano-convex strip D on the outside at the top and a fiat strip E on the inside at the top for engagementby the conforming jaw l3 and head or jaw 20, respectively. The top ofwall II is provided-adjacent its outer end with an upstanding boss or lug 22 having its top face 23 inclined inwardly for a purpose to be later explained. Clamp or bracket Ill and sides or flanges |2 thereofare adapted to pivotally support a paddle engaging and holding means, guide or clamp, and for thispurpose, said sides or flanges l2 are provided substantially medially of their lengths or slightly outwardly thereof with transverse horizontally aligned openings 24 through said sides or flanges. and inwardly extending bearing bosses .25 ,formed on the inner sides thereof concentrically of the openings-to receive bearings such as bushings or. sleeves 25 of suitable bearing metal or alloy to receive screws 21.

' An inverted Teshape'd fitting, arm or stud 28 has its lower horizontal cross head 29 fitted between the bearings at bosses 25 and its projecting ends are provided with threaded bores or sockets 30 to take screws 21 at their threaded inner ends, while'the outer portions of the screws are smooth and are received in bushings 26 to turn as a transverse horizontal axis above and at the inner vertical plane of the sideof the boat and unwale lengthwise and parallel thereto. The head and stem or leg of theT-shaped fitting 28 are preferably round ,orcircular in cross section and the stem hollow or tubular with a longitudinal central bore 3| therethrough from end to end and the wall II is provided with a longitudinally concaved arcuate recess 32 medially transversely in its top surface below head 29. Fitting 28 is reinforced by webs or ribs 33 to head 29 at each side.

Bore 3| receives a reduced shank or stem 34 to turn therein on a vertical axis and attached to or formed on a central hub 35 enlarged relative to the shank or stem 34 or the latter reduced to fit bore 3| and relative to hub 35 which rests on the upper end of tubular stem or leg 28 to turn thereon. Hub 35 is formed centrally on or has a fork, yoke or cradle 36 with arcuate arms extending upwardly in semi-circular fashion on diametrically opposite sides braced to hub 35 on diametrically opposite sides with webs, gussets or ribs 33' similar to webs 33 of fitting 28, and formed with horizontally aligned bearing rings or collars 31 on their upper ends to receive bearings such as bushings 38 of proper metal or alloy in which a split sleeve or clamp 39 is mounted to swing on a horizontal axis defined by and of which the rings 31 form an axis. Shank or stem 34 is reduced near its lower end to form a head 40 with an interposed groove 4| between the head 40 and the lower end of shank or stem 34, said groove 4| receiving a horse-shoe shaped washer 42 on the reduced portion of the lower end of said shank 34 to retain the shank and yoke 36 in position. While the head 43 of shank 34 may be countersunk and recess 32 omitted, as shown, said recess ac commodates said head to permit free swinging of the fork or yoke 38 as seen in Figure 3.

The bushings 38 receive the unthreaded or smooth portions of screws or pivots 43, the inner threaded ends of which engage threaded sockets 44 of bearing bosses or sleeves 45 formed on the narrowed upper ends of the lower semi-circular half-section 46 of split sleeve or clamp 39, with the outer ends of the bosses or sleeves 45 abutting or turning within or against the inner ends of the bearing rings or collars 31. the lower half-section or jaw 46 of sleeve or clamp 39 are formed with laterally oiiset vertically apertured lugs or cars 41 angularly recessed at the inner faces or sides from the top to the center of clamp 39 as indicated at 43, said apertures or holes being threaded and the recesses 48 adapted to receive the corresponding and conforming correlative outer lower recessed portions 49 of similarly offset vertically apertured lugs or ears 50 formed on the ends of a separable upper semicircular half-section 5| of split clamp or sleeve 39. Lugs 47 are provided with threaded vertical sockets 52 therein disposed in registry with the vertical apertures of the apertured lugs 50 of upper section 5| of clamp or sleeve 39 when placed.

thereon over the paddle, and headed screws 53 are engaged through the apertures of lugs 50 and screwed into sockets 52 with interposed lock washers 54 to secure section 5| in position to slidably mount or clamp a paddle 55 such as used in propelling canoes or small boats, or an oar, well down on the same a considerable distance or spaced from the handle or broadened hand grip and blade thereof. A rubber or other collar 53 may be frictionally and snugly mounted or otherwise fixed on the paddle 55 or an oar in a similar position on its shaft to form a stop to limit the displacement outwardly and downwardly of the paddle in its support or mounting bracket as described by engagement with sleeve or clamp 39, especially if the paddle is loose or slidably and turnably mounted therein, but the paddle may be clamped and held in said sleeve or clamp 39 by the stud bolts 52 and nuts 53.

In the use and operation of the device, the paddle or car 55 is placed in the sleeve or clamp 39 before or after the support is mounted on the boat, by removing the screw 53 and detaching the upper section 5|. The paddle is placed on and. in lower section 46 as seen in the drawings and then the upper section 5| applied or mounted on the section 46 and the screws 53 screwed in the sockets 52 with the washers 54 in position there- The upper ends of.

on. The clamp I is mounted at the desired place on the gunwale or rim of the boat, at one or both sides, usually adjacent a seat, so that coneaved jaw l3 fits against part D and jaw l4 spaced inwardly of the rim or gunwale at the inside while the bottom wall I l is above the rim and straddles the same on top between jaws l3 and i4. Jaw or head 26 is then clamped against the inside of the gunwale or rim such as at strip E. The paddle is thus supported for suspending the same with the blade end thereof extending out and down on and over the side of the boat to be operated by one hand while a fisherman has the other hand free for fishing, casting or trolling, especially in streams, lakes or open water where not rough. In this Way, the fisherman can operate the paddle to move the boat or keep it from moving about or too far at one time while the other hand is occupied such as in fly or plug casting as will be appreciated by anyone experienced as a fresh water fisherman. It may be pointed out that the device simulating an oar lock, has dual pivots with horizontal axes one above and parallel to the other at 21 and 43 respectively, and on a vertical pivot or axis 34 therebetween and connecting same centrally of said horizontal axes. In this way, the paddle may swing horizontally on vertical axis 34 in paddling when dipped downwardly and outwardly in an inclined position on pivot 43 as seen in Figure 1, or on pivot '21, or both fulcrums or pivots 43 and 21, almost straight down Or at a sharper angle to rigidly bear or rest on inclined boss or lug 22 and then pivot vertically at 43 so as to be allowed to drop into the water for propelling or when not in use, as seen in Figure 3, when the distance between axes 21 and 43 allow the paddle or oar to overhang or extend to, over or beyond the outside of the side of the boat in the latter position, and if necessary, restrained between portions 15 of flanges or sides l2, at the front or outside, as distinguished from flange portions It at the inside, which as with flanges or sides [2 and portions l5 stiifen and strengthen or reinforce the bracket support and bottom walls I l, and end walls or jaws I3 and 14 thereof for support of the dual or triple pivot mounting for the paddle or oar as described.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A bracket support for paddles or oars, comprising a clamp adapted to engage over the gun- Number wale of a boat side to engage and anchor the clamp at the outside and inside of said side, a fitting pivoted horizontally in the clamp for transverse inboard and outboard swinging movement relative to said gunwale, a stop member secured to said clamp to limit the outboard swing of said fitting to an angularly inclined position at an angle of less than a vertical pivot carried by said fitting, a yoke mounted to swivel horizontally on said vertical pivot. and a paddle receiving member pivoted horizontally on the yoke.

2. A bracket support for paddles or oars, comprising a clamp adapted to engage over the gunwale of a boat side to engage and anchor the clamp at the outside and inside of said side, a fitting pivoted horizontally in the clamp for transverse inboard and outboard swinging movement relative to said gunwale, a stop member secured to said clamp to limit the outboard swing of said fitting to an angularly inclined position at an angle of less than 180", a vertical pivot carried by said fitting, a yoke mounted to swivel horizontally on said vertical pivot, and a paddle receiving member pivoted horizontally on the yoke in a plane in the same direction as, and spaced above the first horizontal pivot.

3. A bracket support for paddles or oars, comprising a clamp adapted to engage over the gunwale of a boat side to engage and anchor the clamp at the outside and inside of said side, a fitting pivoted horizontally in the clamp for transverse inboard and outboard swinging movement relative to said gunwale, a stop member secured to said clamp to limit the outboard swing of said fitting to an angularly inclined position at an angle of less than 180", a vertical pivot carried by said fitting, a yoke mounted to swivel horizontally on said vertical pivot, and a split sleeve pivoted horizontally in the arms of the yoke and adapted to slidably receive and clamp the shaft of a paddle between the blade and handle thereof.

FRANCIS E. SPIEHLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 373,702 Vite Nov. 22, 1887 985,049 Melbye Feb. 21, 1911 1,185,178 Cella May 30, 1916 2,324,311 McKelvey July 13, 1943 

